His business partner and close friend, Jaime Wirth, paid tribute to Mr Miller, who also co-founded the highly successful Sumo Salad chain.

''I will remember James as an endlessly energetic, generous and intensely loyal friend,'' Mr Wirth said in a statement. ''His charisma would light up a room and his stories would keep me entertained in the office for hours.

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''He had a fierce business drive and intelligence but also a real understanding of what was important to him - friends, family and enjoying every day. I learnt a lot from James in business, friendship and life and I will miss him greatly.''

Mr Wirth said his heart went out to Mr Miller's family, his young son Xavier and his ''great number of friends''.

''He will be dearly missed by all,'' Mr Wirth said.

Sources said Mr Miller's flatmate, Nasser Elkordi, found him in their Elizabeth Bay flat about 11pm on Sunday. It's believed he may have ingested illicit drugs and sleeping tablets.

Mr Elkordi, a close friend of the nightclub tsar John Ibrahim, could not be reached yesterday.

Friends and associates throughout Sydney's party scene took to social media as the news spread on Monday.

I guess it's just a reminder we're not invincible

Lara Bingle tweeted ''RIP JAMES MILLER'' about noon, while Facebook was similarly full of messages of mourning.

Fellow nightclub owner David Freeman, the son of the late crime boss George Freeman, posted: ''With love and memories.''

Another associate, Georgia Magree, posted on Facebook: ''My brother and best friend Love you with all my heart for ever and ever.''

Mr Miller and Mr Wirth opened their latest venue, Santa Barbara in Kings Cross, just last month.

Fairfax Media also featured them in the (sydney) magazine top 100 most influential people.

One bar owner, who asked not to be named, said Mr Miller ''hit the party scene pretty hard''.

''He was a lovely guy, really nice and very good at what he did, but that scene is just very dangerous,'' he said.

Another said: ''He was a funny guy, a nice guy. It's just such a shame. He was just caught in the fast lane. The industry needs bright ideas and people like him.''

A close friend said everyone was ''shocked, dumbfounded''.

''I guess it's just a reminder we're not invincible,'' she said.

Businessman Greg Magree, landlord of the Norfolk Hotel, said it was a ''very, very sad day''.